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Jan Play: Deep Dive On LMK
A Deeper Dive on Li Man-kuei
This month’s feature
Heaven Challenges by Li Man-kuei
Li Man-kuei is known as “the mentor of Chinese drama” – in part because she lead Taiwan’s theatre movement from the 1950’s to the 1970’s. She was the only woman on the Chinese Literature and Art Award Committee, so her taste shaped the trajectory of Taiwan’s drama. And her taste was for socially and politically conscious plays: she even referenced Ibsen’s A Doll’s House as a good example of “socially concerned” theatre her textbook!Not only was her education exceptional, particularly for a girl in early 1900’s Guangdong, but she eventually received two Masters degrees: one in China and one in the US.
She was a renowned political figure. Li Man-kuei was a member of the First Legislature of the Republic of China, initially representing 600 thousand constituents. She was recruited by Chiang Kai-shek’s wife to organize a feminist movement, and she later got the governments’ support to revive the dwindling huaju theatre.
“In our time, social problems are all over. These problems are part of our life. In order to represent our life, so many kinds of problems are hard to avoid… People’s lives, thoughts, emotions, and desires were all associated with the longing for restoration.” - Li Man-kuei
Sneak peeks into the in-depth podcast:
“I love the play’s question of ‘how do you take space and believe in yourself as an artist.’”
- Shannon Corenthin, Expand the Canon curator
“I think there are so many different ways to interpret [the title]… how is she also pushing back against it all –– is very descriptive of the play.”
- Kalina Ko, Expand the Canon curator
And thanks to actors Lizzy Roberts & Tim Liu, who performed the scene you’ll hear!
This Month’s Event:
This Is A Classic! Live January 22 @ Caveat
Join us on Jan 22 to celebrate our 36 plays by women throughout history – and learn more about our season this year! There’s something for everyone – verse plays, political plays, wacky plays… Which classic is right for you?
Not in New York?
Join us via livestream - available for a week after we air!
Expand the Canon is sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the NYSCA-A.R.T./New York Creative Opportunity Fund (A Statewide Theatre Regrant Program), and the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).
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